Hilton Beach, Ontario

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official_name = Village of Hilton Beach
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image_caption = Hilton Beach Marina


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Location map|Ontario|lat=46.25673|long=-83.88783|caption=Location of Hilton Beach in Ontario|label=Hilton Beach
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Ontario
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Algoma
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government_type = Village
leader_title = Reeve
leader_name = Jack Hore
leader_title1 = Governing Body
leader_name1 = Hilton Beach Village Council
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 =Brent St. Denis (LPC)
leader_title3 =MPP
leader_name3 =Mike Brown (OLP)
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established_title = Incorporated
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area_total_km2 = 2.4
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =ref label|Stats_Canada|1|1(sc)
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settlement_type = Town
population_total = 172
population_density_km2 = 70.0
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
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area_code =705
website = [http://www.hiltonbeach.com/ Village of Hilton Beach]
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Hilton Beach is a village located in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the northeastern shore of St. Joseph Island in the North Channel of Lake Huron, approximately 60 kilometres from Sault Ste. Marie. The village had a population of 172 and a land area of 2.4km² per the Canada 2006 Census.

History

The area which is now known as Hilton Beach had its origins in the 1850s when a wharf was first built. By the 1860s, fourteen families had settled in the area, including the Trainors, Rousseaus, Gordons, Bishops and Desjardins.

John Marks came to St. Joseph Island in the 1860s to settle at Sailors Encampment. He moved to the area that would become Hilton Beach in 1872. Marks opened a store and a wood dock, and, six years later, opened a post office under the name of Marksville. A school was established in 1877, and in 1881 St. John's Anglican Church was erected.

J. Archibald built a hotel in 1879, originally called The Ottawa House. It was moved to its current site in 1890. Other businesses included Bowker's General Store, Duncan's General Store, R. Chester's shoemaker shop, and the sawmill operated by Dean and Davis. J.C. Cooper was a wagon maker, and T. Steinburg was the blacksmith, who operated out of the white concrete building still standing today on Hilton Road.

A.G. Duncan, D. McPhail and John Marks were justices. The village was called Marksville until June 1, 1921, when it was changed to Hilton Beach. Two years later the village separated from Hilton Township and became St. Joseph Island's first village.

Many of the historical buildings in Hilton Beach are still being used today. The community hall, renovated in 1989, was originally built in 1896 and used as a schoolhouse until the 1960s. The old town hall, built in 1916, was used as a violin workshop for several years and is now for sale. The Hilton Beach General Store is over 100 years old and is still open for business.

The Hilton Beach jail is unusual in that it never actually housed an inmate. The small building, barely measuring 20' by 20', in fact housed the Hilton Beach Library for several years in the 1920s. The library is now housed in another historical building on Marks Street.

Tourism

Hilton Beach has been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s. Several families from Michigan, Ohio, California and Florida have been spending their summers in and around Hilton Beach since the 1920s.

The MS Norgoma, a package freighter and passenger ferry, called on Hilton Beach on Wednesdays until 1963.

Today, the village attracts visitors primarily from Sault Ste. Marie and southern Ontario, as well as Michigan.

The village's location on Lake Huron makes it a very popular boating destination. The Hilton Beach Marina has over 180 slips (approximately one for every resident in the town) and is very popular in the summer. The excellent sailing in the St. Joseph Channel is the main attraction for many seasonal residents and tourists. The marina operates from May through to October.

The Hilton Beach Tourist Park, a tent and trailer park, was built in the 1950s. The Park welcomes back dozens of seasonal residents every summer and is a community unto itself during peak season.

Events

Arts at the Dock is one of the largest and longest-running multimedia art shows in the district. It celebrates its 20th year in 2006. It is held annually on the third Sunday of July.

The Hilton Beach Summer Festival is a classic car show with about 50 cars, plus arts and crafts vendors and the Coureurs de Bois encampment held annually on the fourth Saturday of July.

Hilton Beach Community Night is an annual event that has been held for over 100 years in various forms. For the past few decades, it has included a cold plate supper, followed by a parade down Hilton Road and Marks Street. After the parade, a crowd numbering in the high hundreds plays various games of chance and enjoys barbecued food along Marks Street until dark.

The PMG Can Am CL16 Regatta will enter its 3rd year in 2006. Up to 30 CL16s will take to the water to compete in five races over two days for a $7500 prize purse. Held annually on the Saturday and Sunday after the civic holiday weekend in August.

Old Town Hall Concerts is a series of three concerts will enter its 11th year in 2006. This series is well-known for bringing in some of Canada's best musical talent. Usually held on the first three Wednesdays of August.

Government

The reeve of the village is Jack Hore. Councilors include Jane Sullivan, Lavera Crack, Robert Hope and Wilfred Stevens. The village clerk is Gloria Fischer.

External links

* [http://www.hiltonbeach.com/ Village of Hilton Beach]